Duel Meanings.
The Object of Our Desire
By: Chasethebrony
Two shadowed figures face each other in the dank gloom of the woods. Surrounded by the gnarled oaks, they each hold a sabre in hand.
The taller of the two is dressed in simple the canvas trousers of a working man with a tucked in burgundy shirt. His sleeves were rolled up, displaying the lean corded muscles rippling beneath his tan skin. He towered over his opponent, and most others he came across. In his hand he casually held a well worn cavalry sabre with a small triad of apples engraved upon the hilt.
Standing opposite of him is more of a mountain then a man. Short and broad, his chiseled face betrays no trace of emotion. The his coat lies on the ground nearby, and he stands in shirtsleeves and trousers. Gripped in his fist was a monster of a sword. A rapier in name only, it would have taken a normal man two hands to hold the blade aloft, but this man held it as casually as a pocket knife.
“Ahm goin’ ta give you one last chance to redeem yourself son” growled the lanky duelist.
“Nay, cur. If either of us will retreat from this place, it shall be you; For I am the only one here tonight worthy of the prize.” The accent of the dark man rumbled through the night.
“Then here you'll die. Hope you left your affairs in order.”
With a subtle nod of acknowledgement, the two men raise their blades in salute and prepare for battle. Dropping into the stance of a veteran fighter, the tall figure stands still watching his opponent with the eye of a veteran and waits for the first move. A flicker of the eye and the besuited gentleman suddenly dashed forward faster than expected for one his size.
With just a moments notice and a flash of maroon, the tree of a man stepped to the side and tried to deflect his foe’s blade. However, the sheer mass of the bade forced him to take a step back to absorb the shock of the blow.
Seizing the advantage of having his opponent off balance, the grey man redoubled his attack.
Their swords gleaming in the moonlight, the only sound in the clearing was the clash of metal on metal and the heavy panting of the two fighters.
Separating for a moment, the two men stepped apart for a moment. Regaining their breath, they eyed each other warily; both expecting the other to suddenly press the attack.
“She loved me first you know.” Taunted the taller of the two.
“What does that mean? Other than she left you for me that is.” retorted the other.
“Then why did she keep seeing me? It was obviously because besides your money and power, you clearly couldn’t sate her how should I say it... physical needs.” With a smile the giant watched his foe’s face contort in rage.
Calming down for a moment, his face returned to it’s stony impassiveness. “Your taunts are baseless you insignificant excuse for a man. Obviously it wasn’t just your height that was compared to a beanstalk”
Finally having caught his breath, the taller of the two simply smiled and retorted with his light drawl “Well then, come at me sir”
Immediately after uttering those words, he suddenly charged at his shorter counterpart. Feinting to the left, he managed to catch his opponents shoulder with the tip of his sabre. A small flash of crimson, and the first blood had been drawn.
Ignoring the pain, the other ripsoted with his own blade and nicked the back of his foe’s arm.
back and forth they clashed, the tall one weaving in and out in a deadly dance of blade and flesh. The shorter one stood stoically, never giving ground standing like a mountain in the forest. Only a few more light blows were exchanged, but the two were seemingly in a stalemate of skill and ability.
Then suddenly, the taller one tripped on a root and began to fall to the ground like a tree to the lumberyard. Suddenly on the ground, he was barely able to roll out of the way of the finishing blow attempted by his enemy. Twisting around, he brought his bade up to the others throat just as his opponent’s bade reached his.
They both froze for a moment, each with the life of the other’s held in their hand. A simple flick of the wrist and the duel could be finished for good.
Staring into each others eyes, they saw the bloodlust of the other plainly.
Just as the finishing blows were about to be dealt, a shrieking cry rang our though the woods.
Looking up, they both saw the object of their affections staring at them. Fainting at the sight of the two bloodied men, she began to fall to the ground. Time slowed to a standstill as they watched their beloved slowly fall through the air. However, they both were surprised when they noticed that a shadowed figure had caught her before she could impact the soil.
Slowly standing erect, the moonlight glinted off of his metal armor. Polished to a mirror finish, the armored man gently held the woman in his arms.
“Mr Turnip, Rocky, please hold my wife while I deal with these ruffians.” The deep serious tone of the knight sounded off while his two compatriots took his bride from him.
“Well, since you two gentlemen obviously weren't informed, my name is Sir Lintalot. And The two of you were caught sleeping with my wife. What do you have to say for yourself before I kill the both of you.”
“He did it first.” rumbled the deep baritone of the shorter of the two.
“I am sure.” The knight replied sarcastically. “Now, normally I like to know the names of the men whose lives I am about to end. So please, introduce yourselves so that I may kill you.”
relaxing the two men separated and stood with their swords at the ready. The taller of the two spoke up first. “Mah name is Bloomberg. Too bad that you won’t live to remember it.” The shorter one replied succinctly. “I am Tom.”
“Well It was good getting to know you gentlemen, but now I am afraid I have to maintain my reputation and the honor of my wife the Madame LeFleur by slaying the two of you. No hard feelings of course.”
And without any hesitation, he drew his blade and charged the two men in the field of battle.
“The sounds of raging battle filled the night as the three men fought like beasts, each one trying to best the others to claim the prize of their woman...”
A knocking on the door behind her caused Pinkie to pause her imaginary battle for a moment.
“Who is it?” She called, her voice carrying across the room.
“It’s Twilight and the girls. We haven't seen you in three days Pinkie, and we were starting to get really worried about you.”
Before pinkie could reply, the door flew open revealing her five closest friends. Streaking in first Rainbow Dash froze in midair at the sight and fell to the ground laughing.
Pinkie was sitting the the middle of her room simultaneously trying to manipulate a rather large ball of lint, a small apple sapling and a boulder with a sword taped to it into a scene of battle. Off to the side was a bucket of turnips, a sack of flour and a smaller rock.
Rarity, seeing the rock from her nightmares simply froze and glared at Pinkie. “I Thought that we agreed that we would never see or talk about that stupid rock ever again.”
Applejack immediately raced over to the sapling and began to inspect it closely. A sudden bout of realization overcame her and she faced Pinkie Pie as well. “Pinkamena Diane Pie, how in tarnation did you get Bloomberg here all the way from Appleoosa?! I don’t know whether I am angry that you would steal one of my trees, or if I am amazed that you fit him in here like this.
Finally standing in the back of the room Twilight and Fluttershy were just standing in awe at the sight in front of them.
Twilight was the first one to break the awkward silence. “Uh Pinkie, what exactly was going on here?”
Shrugging her shoulders, Pinkie just replied “Well I was just trying to help Sir Lintalot, Bloomberg and Tom solve their issues. Initially I was just going to leaf them alone, but being the mediator I found myself being stuck between a rock and a hard place. So as a result I lint a hoof in helping them solve their issues....”
